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Coinbase issues warning of potential $400 million loss due to cyber attack

Foreign workers outside the U.S., employed in support roles, were covertly paid by hackers to gather user data for Coinbase. The company has terminated all those implicated in the incident.

Foreign workers in support roles outside the U.S., paid by hackers, were dismissed according to...
Foreign workers in support roles outside the U.S., paid by hackers, were dismissed according to Coinbase for collecting user data.

Coinbase issues warning of potential $400 million loss due to cyber attack

Freakin' cyber pirates just toasted a massive $400m (£301m) of Coinbase's crypto coinage! This shady gang breached user data of a "small yet significant" gang of Coinbase customers and tricked them into transferring their digital dough, according to their regulatory filing.

These crooks didn't hack their way into login credentials or passwords, but they swiped user data including names, addresses, emails, and personal deets. The hackers bribed their way into Coinbase's global support crew, especially those in India, to obtain secret customer info from the company's internal systems.

At first, the hackers demanded a $20m (£15m) ransom to keep their thievery hush-hush. But not on Coinbase's watch! While the exchange declined the ransom, they've set up a $20m bounty for anyone spilling the beans on the hoodlums behind this heist. Coinbase wasted no time firing everyone involved and reported 'em to the feds.

The company will reimburse customers who fell for the scam, and they're estimating their cybersecurity blunder could cost 'em anywhere between $180m (£135m) and $400m in costs related to the hack.

Just as Coinbase prepares to enter the S&P 500 index in a historic move for crypto, this breach hits the industry like a sack of bricks. The cybersecurity challenges for this sector remain ongoing, as even Dubai-based Bybit experienced a hack that made off with around $1.5bn (£1.19bn) in digital tokens earlier this year – considered the biggest crypto heist ever.

In Nick Jones' words, co-founder of crypto-friendly Zumo, "The crypto world's attracting more of the baddest bad guys – smooth talkers who master­mind increasingly sophisticated ways to snatch our data."

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Themes:

  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Cybercrime

Security's a constant concern for this unpredictable industry, and Coinbase's not the only fish in the sea to experience attacks. As the crypto world grows swiftly like a weed, it's attracting the attention of more criminal masterminds – slick-talking scoundrels who love nothing more than to dig up tricks that steal our precious info. With new challenges lurking just around the corner, one can't help but ask: What happens next in this wild rollercoaster ride of the digital economy?

Read more about crypto and cybersecurity on our website! And don't forget to secure yourself by installing our free app for price alerts and all things crypto-related right in the palm of your hand!

In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrencies, concerns about cybersecurity remain paramount, especially in the wake of Coinbase's $400m loss due to a breach. As the crypto industry continues to expand, it becomes a magnet for sophisticated cybercriminals who devise new methods to infiltrate systems and loot digital assets. Investors must remain vigilant, ensuring their cybersecurity measures are robust enough to withstand such threats. To stay informed and secure in the digital economy, consider using our free app that offers price alerts and other crypto-related updates.

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